Know before you land.

62 sticking points foreigners hit in China — payment, transport, trains, food, language. Documented, with the fix for each.

💳

Payment

Set up WeChat Pay & Alipay with your foreign card.
🚕

Didi

Register and ride with China's version of Uber.
🚄

High-Speed Train

Book and board with your passport.
🗣️

Essential Phrases

48 phrases to show locals. No speaking needed.
🆘

Emergency Help

Key numbers, embassy info & what to do now.
🍜

Ordering Decoded

Read any Chinese menu: dish-name anatomy, flavor axes, hidden allergens.
🏨

Hotels

Book one that takes your passport, and the 24h police rule.
🩺

Seeing a doctor

120 for emergencies, clinics, self-pay, the prescription rule.
🛬

First 24 hours

Arrival card, visa-free, eSIM, the apps you need — step by step.

Start here
🛍️

Tax refund

Get the VAT back before you fly home. About 9% on eligible buys.

Start here

All 62 documented sticking points

Every one has its own page: what you will see, why it happens, and the first step out — free on all 62. 12 cases are fully solved free as samples; the complete fixes, the decision tree and the offline pack are $9.99.

Payment15
Your card is declined even though it works elsewhere You picked the wrong ID type and can't change it Your name doesn't match your passport exactly Your own bank blocks the transaction Verification fails and you don't know why You can receive money but not pay Your account gets flagged for unusual activity The SMS verification code never arrives You can't add a second card Payment fails at the moment of purchase Your payment limit is too low You need a refund back to a foreign card You can't read the Chinese interface Your account is frozen You need a receipt or invoice
Trains15
12306 identity verification never completes Name entered wrong, system rejects it Payment fails at checkout Passport won't scan at the automatic gate You booked from the wrong station Your train is sold out You need to change or refund a ticket You left your passport at the hotel Tickets for a child or elderly passenger You have large luggage You need to extend your ticket on board You lost the booking confirmation You need to transfer between stations You need to contact customer service You need an invoice for the ticket
Ride-hailing12
SMS code never arrives Card declined at the end of the ride The app changes your car type at the last second The driver can't find you and calls in Chinese You were overcharged or the route was longer You left something in the car Account flagged, can't book The driver cancels on you Can't add a second payment method You need a bigger car for luggage or a group You need a receipt for the ride You can't communicate with the driver
Emergency12
You lost your passport You need a doctor who speaks English You were robbed or pickpocketed Accident, you need an ambulance Severe allergic reaction Lost or stranded at night You feel threatened or harassed You lost your phone or wallet You need to contact family urgently Natural disaster or city-wide emergency Mental health crisis Legal trouble or detained
Language & food8
The menu is all in Chinese You have a food allergy You want less spicy, not zero spicy The driver or passerby doesn't understand English You need help but don't know how to ask You need a restroom or a specific place Emergency, but you don't speak Chinese You want to be polite but don't know the words

Not sure which ones are yours? Answer 6 questions and get your personal list.

Find my sticking points
Illustrative images · Updated September 2026 · Based on official sources

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Live now: all 62 failure cases, each with its own free page, plus the arrival, tax-refund, hotel, doctor, and ordering guides. The printable show-them card pack is part of the 2.0 Offline Kit.

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